New Delhi: Pakistan on Friday unveiled two new batting faces, with Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awaisi making their debuts in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.With former skipper Babar Azam out due to a left knee injury, Pakistan turned to youth by picking two promising left-handed top-order batsmen in the starting XI for the first match of the two-Test series.Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and was chosen to start the match at the She-e-Bangla National Stadium, but much of the pre-match attention was on the two debutants.
Who are Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais?
Abdullah Fazal is a 23-year-old opening batsman from Karachi who has built a solid reputation in Pakistan’s domestic circuit with his consistent performances in first-class cricket. In 25 first-class games, Fazal has scored 1828 runs at an average of 41.54. His impressive record includes 4 centuries and 10 fifties, with a career-high score of 182 runs.
Joining him in the selection is 21-year-old Azan Awais from Sialkot, another highly rated left-handed batsman who is considered one of Pakistan’s brightest red-ball prospects. Awais has had a brilliant start to his first-class career, scoring 2,673 runs in 33 games at an average of 48.60. His scores include 10 hundreds and 9 fifties, while his highest score remains an unbeaten 203.Pakistan’s batting line-up for the Test includes Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood, Saud Shakir and Mohammad Rizwan.The visitors also welcome back veterans Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hassan Ali, while Noman Ali has been selected as the only specialist spinner.Meanwhile, Bangladesh brought back fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for his first Test match since returning from injury in December 2024. The hosts’ bowling attack also features Nasheed Rana, Ebadot Hussain, Mehidi Hassan Miraz and Tejul Islam.The series marks an important phase for Pakistan as they begin to rebuild their Test squad with a younger batting core.
BAN vs PAK lineup:
Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.Pakistan: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
